Davis: DeGale Beat Plumbers, Bankers, Weekend Warriors

On Thursday, Hennessy Sports held a press conference at the Bounce club in central London to promote tonight’s clash between James DeGale and Dyah Davis for the WBC silver super-middleweight title.

BoxingScene was able to catch up with Davis and Mick Hennessy who discussed tonight’s bout, as well as possible match ups down the line. While the winner of DeGale vs Davis could face Marco Antonio Peribán next, the winner will have a keen eye on the world title fight between Sakio Bika and Anthony Dirrell on December 7.

“It’s a possibility that Anthony Dirrell could beat Sakio Bika,” stated Davis. “We shared camp together so I watched him in preparation. I actually sparred with Andre Dirrell. He helped me get ready for this fight. Anthony Dirrell has a great possibility of beating Bika. It’s funny, you know, we were sparring together and I know he’s fighting Bika but we could potentially be matching up down the line, but business is business.

“I think Andre is working out some issues with SMS, 50 Cent’s company. He wants to fight some quality opposition, he’s coming from the Super Six tournament. He doesn’t want to fight on ESPN, he wants to be on Showtime and HBO. So I think he’s just working out those issues.”

Davis stated in a previous interview that he had not seen too much footage of his British rival. So how does he feel about the quality of DeGale’s opponents thus far?

“Most of the guys he fought were bankers, plumbers, weekend warriors. He hasn’t fought anywhere near the opposition that I’ve fought, so we’re going in to test him. Let’s see what’s going on with DeGale. I’m looking to come out victorious. But I did get a chance to watch some of his fights.”

Promoter Mick Hennessy feels the American will provide a stern test for DeGale.

“I wouldn’t underestimate this fight at all, this is a hard fight,” said Mick. “You’ve got a hardened American here who’s got no injuries, he’s dead right. He wasn’t right when he fought Sakio Bika who’s the current WBC champion. Ten rounds, TKO, and he said he wasn’t anywhere near right. But he’s told us he’s right now so you can’t underestimate this kid. He’s got good wins over Marcus Johnson and Antwun Echols, a big name from the past. It’s a tough fight for James. This is a top fight.

“I’ll start looking at tapes of Anthony Dirrell as it could be in our interest but from what I’m hearing in the States a few people think he might upset the apple cart. Worst ways we should be having a final eliminator.”